Interview with landscape photographer, Jessy C. Eykendorp
Ijen Crater is a nature reserve Ijen Park is located between Banyuwangi and Bondowoso District, East Java, Indonesia (© Jessy C. Eykendorp)
You’ve not seen Indonesia until you’ve seen it through Jessy C Eykendorp‘s lens. Better known as tropicalLiving on Flickr, Jessy’s photostream is filled with dreamy landscape photos that make postcards look bad.
ChiqClicks caught up with this Bali lass in an exclusive interview where she shares her secrets in creating stunning landscape photos.
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Pura Batu Bolong is a small shrine located just a stone's throw from the famous Tanah Lot temple (© Jessy C. Eykendorp)
1.How would you describe yourself in one sentence?
I’m the sort of person that just tries my best to enjoy life and keep things as simple as possible.
2. What’s your usual routine when setting up for a landscape shot?
I start by researching the location as much as possible before even getting there. Once I reach a location, I usually move around with my camera off of my tripod, and try to find a composition that will work best for me. After I find my composition, I setup my tripod and position any filters if necessary, tune my focus, set my white balance, and then hope that the good light appears.
3. How/why did you pick up landscape photography?
I started with macro photography, but living in Bali Indonesia, I was quickly moved by the great landscapes that exist all around me. While undergoing some personal problems, photography became my therapy, and became my one true freedom that helps me to relax, and get my mind straight.
4. Any preference for sunrise or sunset, and if yes why?
I like both, but for me, nothing beats the calmness and freshness in the mornings. Usually the lakes are calmer, making for perfect reflections, and often times, there is low lying fog or mist in the mornings. I love to listen to the birds waking up in the early morning too…
Photo taken at Pererenan Beach, Canggu, Bali. Pererenan beach is another surfing spot with a selection of villas close by (© Jessy C. Eykendorp)
5. Looking at the sun can be dangerous. What precautionary methods do you take?
I don’t do anything special for this except try not to look directly into the sun. I haven’t had a huge problem with it so far, but who knows, maybe I will be blind by the time I’m 40.. hahah
(© Jessy C. Eykendorp)
6. How much post-editing do you do?
I really don’t do a lot of post-editing. I sit in front of the computer a lot for my work, and prefer to get things as close as possible in the camera with the use of filters etc. I will usually make some selective contrast adjustments, some minor saturation, and some dodging/burning if necessary. After that I will sharpen it and that’s pretty much all I do…
7. To you, what is the biggest challenge when it comes to landscape photography?
For me, the biggest challenge isn’t the technical part, but just learning to be patient, and understanding that the good light and conditions don’t happen every single time you go out to make photos. Sometimes, I have to go to a location several times before everything comes together properly.
8. Can you give an example of a photo which you’ve invested a lot of time getting?
Picturesque Kawah Ijen is the world's largest highly acidic lake and is the site of a labor-intensive sulfur mining operation in which sulfur-laden baskets are hand-carried from the crater floor. Think you have a tough job? Try carrying 100 kilos through a cloud of sulfur down the side of a volcano (© Jessy C. Eykendorp)
9. Can you give 5 tips for newbies trying out landscape photography?
- Learn to be patient. Landscape photography is not like other types of photography where the conditions are always the same (portrait, macro, etc). Several things can affect your landscape photographs, and conditions will often times not be ideal.
- Always watch your histogram to ensure that you are not blowing out the highlights or any of the color channels. Try to expose to the right of the histogram as much as possible so that you can catch the most detail in your files.
- Shoot in RAW, and learn to use a RAW editor.
- Get to your location early, so that you have plenty of time to find a good composition. Nothing worse than getting to a location at the last minute when the sunset is amazing, and not being able to come up with a good composition.
- Just have fun and enjoy wherever it is that you chose to be at the time. You won’t always get a good photo, but I think it’s also important to just enjoy being out there as much as possible.
Kedisan is a small rural village on the edge of Lake Batur, under the shadow of the magnificent active volcano Mt Batur (© Jessy C. Eykendorp)
10. What do you pack in your bag when you go out to photograph landscapes?
I personally love the super wide angle sweeping landscapes, so I never leave home without my wide angle lens. I usually also cary a 70-300mm lens for zooming in and capturing the more intimate pieces of the landscapes. I rely heavily on the use of Neutral Density, and Graduated Neutral Density filters, and have an assortment of these in my bag at all times, along with a filter holder.
11. How has using Flickr as a photo sharing site, helped you grow as a photographer?
Flickr has been a great for researching particular locations, and getting feedback on my photos. I have met some really great people through flickr, and also learned a lot by just looking at the EXIF information of other photographers.
12. Who are the other women photographers that inspire you?
I love the work of Hillary Younger. She’s a great landscape photographer and she is also a wonderful person. Please check out her photostream here.
Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park (© Jessy C. Eykendorp)
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Follow Jessy @ tropicalLiving on Flickr here.
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Category : Featured articles, Interviews
nice pic kk….